If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Scott Olsen, a former Marine and veteran of Iraq was injured during an Occupy Oakland protest. Witnesses say he was struck in the head by a "police projectile".

Other protesters rushed to assist Olsen when they saw him laying motionless and bleeding on the ground, but as they gathered around him, the police threw a flash grenade into the group, scattering them.

He has suffered a fractured skull and his brain is swelling, and is in critical condition.

Scott Olsen survived two tours of Iraq, but his life could be over after being critically injured by a police projectile at Occupy Oakland, The Guardian reports. He's 24 years old.

According to Keith Shannon, a friend who served with Olsen during his time in Iraq, Olsen was hit in the head with a tear gas or smoke canister, and he has the scar on his head to prove it.

Meanwhile, Oakland police admit that they used tear gas and baton rounds, but have denied the use of flash bang grenades. Protesters, however, say they saw police use them, and the more video that comes out, the harder it is to believe the police.

"I'm just absolutely devastated that someone who did two tours of Iraq and came home safely is now lying in a US hospital because of the domestic police force," Carpenter said.

Guy said also it wasn't immediately clear whether Olsen, a network administrator in Daly City, would need surgery.

"It's still too early to tell," Guy said. "We're hoping for the best."

Curt Olsen, a spokesman for Highland Hospital in Oakland, confirmed that the veteran was in critical condition but could not release any more information.

Olsen, who completed his service last year, participated in the protest in Oakland because he felt corporations and banks have too much influence on the government, Guy said.

A vigil for him is scheduled to be held Wednesday evening near the Oakland City Hall, she said.

"It's terrible to go over to Iraq twice and come back injured, and then get injured by the police that are supposed to be protecting us," he said.

Shannon said Olsen was hit in the head by a tear gas canister or smoke canister shot by a police officer. He said Olsen had a curved scar on his forehead consistent with a canister

updates are still coming

:(

Originally Posted by Adam Smith - Wealth of Nations

It is not very unreasonable that the rich should contribute to the public expense, not only in proportion to their revenue, but something more than in that proportion.

At a late-night news conference, the city’s acting police chief, Howard Jordan, said officers needed to use tear gas after protesters threw rocks and bottles at them…

…The police denied firing flash grenades or rubber bullets at protesters. “The loud noises that were heard originated from M-80 explosives thrown at Police by protesters,” the police said in a statement. “In addition, Police fired approximately four bean bag rounds at protesters to stop them from throwing dangerous objects at the officers.”

A counter to what? This guy is seriously injured, and it is sad. I don't now if he personally was doing anything violent, or if he was merely exercising his right to assembly.

Right to assembly is one thing....provoking the police by throwing objects at them and refusing to obey lawful commands from law enforcement is another. Too bad you're so fucked in the head you can't understand this simple fact.

Solve a man's problem with violence and help him for a day. Teach a man how to solve his problems with violence, help him for a lifetime - Belkar Bitterleaf

A counter to what? This guy is seriously injured, and it is sad. I don't now if he personally was doing anything violent, or if he was merely exercising his right to assembly.

No, he was not exercising his right to assembly. He was taking part in what was borderline a riot. If he had been taking part in his legal right to assemble, he would not have been there disobeying lawful orders disperse from an illegal assembly.

In most sports, cold-cocking an opposing player repeatedly in the face with a series of gigantic Slovakian uppercuts would get you a multi-game suspension without pay.

In hockey, it means you have to sit in the penalty box for five minutes.

A counter to what? This guy is seriously injured, and it is sad. I don't now if he personally was doing anything violent, or if he was merely exercising his right to assembly.

He was participating in a riot. What's sad is that you have finally found two Marines that you can feel something for, and they are both turncoats.

Originally Posted by Wei Wu Wei

Does his having opinions you disagree with take away from his service in Iraq? Does someone's service not count if they come out of it disagreeing with their mission or their organization?

Different people will have different opinions about these questions.

Originally Posted by Witmaster

I love this....

People trying to justify their position against law enforcement by invoking a U.S. marine who was engaged in a riot against the police.

I don't care what branch of the military you serve in, what wars you were deployed to or what rank you achieved. Your status as a "Veteran" does not give you license to break the law or take part in any organized demonstration that incites violence against this nations law enforcement officers.

Using his status as an "Iraq War Veteran" as some sort of ploy to justify his association with acts of violence against law enforcement; while demonizing the Oakland P.D. is nothing less than a blatant act of disrespect for the Military and all-too typical of the leftist agenda.

There was a sign carried at one of the anti-war protests a few years back that summed up the left's take on the troops:

Wei only has good things to say about us when one of us does something like this Quisling did. Otherwise, he's happy to accuse us of all manner of imaginary atrocities.